HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-31 HAC Special Agenda Packet California Apartment Association
3349 Michelson Dr, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92612
January 19, 2022
Chair Anna Cabral
Housing Advisory Commission
City of Chula Vista
276 Fourth Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Re: Item 5.1 – Concerns Regarding the Lack of Practical Compliance with Proposed Chula Vista
Tenant Protection Ordinance
Dear Chair Cabral and Members of the Housing Advisory Commission:
The California Apartment Association (CAA) has significant concerns regarding the proposed
Tenant Protection Ordinance. CAA is the nation’s largest statewide trade group representing
owners, investors, developers, managers, and suppliers of rental housing. Our membership is diverse
representing individual "mom-and-pop" owners of rental housing to the largest apartment operators
throughout San Diego County and California. Our membership provides over 70,000 rental homes
across San Diego County.
Chula Vista’s Tenant Protection Ordinance would (1) inhibit any substantial investment that
improves the quality of life for tenants and updates the City’s aging stock and (2) penalize innocent
activities often part of normal property management operations with excessive criminal and civil
penalties. Adoption of the ordinance would discourage ownership, development, and maintenance of
rental housing, putting renters and quality housing at-risk in the long-term.
As you may know, the State of California has been heralded for having the “strongest tenant
protections in the nation” through the adoption of AB 1482 (Chiu) in 2019. This legislation
established a statewide, consistent standard to protect renters from excessive rent increases and
arbitrary evictions. Establishing new laws and policies will only create inconsistencies for landlords
and tenants across the state. CAA has had constructive discussions with City staff on methods to
enhance a landlord and tenant’s understanding of their rights and responsibilities.
The City has an opportunity to educate tenants about the abundance of existing laws and better
define the problems being addressed with these policies before moving forward with any new laws.
CAA has several concerns and recommendations with the proposed ordinance that are highlighted
below: